Warper

The Warper, or the Self-Warping Quarantine Enforcer Unit as named by the Precursors, is a <a href="/wikis/bio">bio</a>-mechanical life form created by the Precursor race. It belongs to the Fauna category and can generate a teleportation gate, which it uses to warp itself and other life forms of its size or smaller at will.

Warpers can be found in some of the deeper <a href="/wikis/biomes">biomes</a> (those that go lower than 300 meters), but are especially prevalent around Alien Bases. An inactive Warper, along with many separate Warper parts, can be found within the <a href="/wikis/disease-research-facility">Disease Research Facility</a> in the <a href="/wikis/lost-river">Lost River</a>, where they were being built. Construction was likely stopped mid-process due to the attack on the facility by the <a href="/wikis/sea-dragon-leviathan">Sea Dragon Leviathan</a>. This inactive Warper can be scanned to obtain the Self-Warping Quarantine Enforcer Unit data.

Overview

Appearance

The Warper's head is round and flat, with two small flat sacs visible behind it. It sports a circular mouth consisting of a pair of mandibles to either side and two large, blunt teeth in the center. It has four small eyes that give out a distinct magenta bioluminescent glow.

Its body is mostly covered with a thick, purple, cloak-like skin overlaying its translucent pale blue body. Visible within its body is a dark purple ribcage-like formation, many bright pink bioluminescent veins, and what appears to be a heart. It also features two spiked arms cloaked with a transparent blue membrane. The Warper's lower section consists of six tentacles, of which only the two translucent blue limbs are used for propulsion, while the rest serve as the end tips of its main body's cloak.

While patrolling, it moves in slow arcing trajectories, propelled by its tentacles with its upper body perfectly still, before changing course with a sudden jerk.

Behavior

Warpers are aggressive towards the player when their infection level becomes high enough. This aggression is also applied towards small, medium, and shark-classified fauna. Warpers will teleport themselves to a location and begin patrolling the area. Upon detecting an infected player or creature, the Warper will fire an orb in an attempt to teleport the target within range. If successful, the Warper will then slash at its target with its claws. The damage scales with the target’s infection level. After some time passes without seeing an infected creature, or if damaged enough, the Warper will teleport away. While docile, Warpers will swim towards the player to inspect them. Warpers will follow the player if they hold an infected fish, but will not attack them if the player has been cured.

The Warper will teleport in fauna in an attempt to kill the player. The fauna teleported in varies depending on the <a href="/wikis/biome">biome</a> the player is currently in. The amount teleported in varies based on creature size; small fauna like Bleeders may have up to seven brought in, while larger fauna like Crabsquids will only have one. After a short amount of time, the fauna will be teleported away.

Warpers will teleport the player outside the Seamoth or Prawn Suit if they are infected. They are unable to teleport the player out of the <a href="/wikis/cyclops">Cyclops</a>.

Player Hostility

Warpers are initially passive towards the player. However, as the player progresses through the game, they will eventually become hostile. This is based on the player's infection level, which raises as they visit specific locations. After the player has cured themselves of the <a href="/wikis/kharaa-bacterium">Kharaa Bacterium</a>, Warpers will once again become passive for the remainder of the game.

Warpable Creatures

Creatures that Warpers will bring in to attack their target depend on the biome the Warper is in. The creatures will then proceed to attack the player.

• Blood Kelp Trench: <a href="/wikis/ampeel">Ampeel</a>, <a href="/wikis/blighter">Blighter</a>, <a href="/wikis/blood-crawler">Blood Crawler</a>
• Bulb Zone: Ampeel, <a href="/wikis/boneshark">Boneshark</a>, <a href="/wikis/mesmer">Mesmer</a>
• <a href="/wikis/crash-zone">Crash Zone</a>: <a href="/wikis/biter">Biter</a>, Boneshark, Sandshark, <a href="/wikis/stalker">Stalker</a>
• Dunes: Biter, <a href="/wikis/cave-crawler">Cave Crawler</a>, Sandshark
• Grand Reef: <a href="/wikis/crabsquid">Crabsquid</a>, Mesmer
• <a href="/wikis/grassy-plateaus">Grassy Plateaus</a>: Biter, <a href="/wikis/bleeder">Bleeder</a>, Sandshark
• Inactive Lava Zone: <a href="/wikis/lava-lizard">Lava Lizard</a>
• <a href="/wikis/kelp-forest">Kelp Forest</a>: Bleeder, Stalker
• Lava Zone: Lava Lizard
• Lost River: Bleeder, Blood Crawler, Crabsquid, Mesmer, <a href="/wikis/river-prowler">River Prowler</a>
• Mountains: Biter, Cave Crawler
• <a href="/wikis/mushroom-forest">Mushroom Forest</a>: Boneshark, Mesmer
• Northern Blood Kelp Zone: Ampeel, Blighter, Blood Crawler, Crabsquid
• <a href="/wikis/underwater-islands">Underwater Islands</a>: Boneshark, Cave Crawler

<a href="/wikis/story">Story</a>

Warpers were created through the combination of dozens of different off-world animals and the integration of Precursor technology. The <a href="/wikis/pda">PDA</a> states that a tiny amount of the Warper's genome is taken from local life forms, likely added to allow it to function correctly in the environment of 4546B. The digestive and pulmonary systems were replaced with an internal <a href="/wikis/battery">battery</a>. A miniaturized phase system was implanted beneath the skin and connected to the central nervous system, allowing them to phase jump themselves and others at will. The brain and central nervous system were augmented for increased processing power, likely giving them greater hunting prowess, tactical thought, and intelligent communication with other Warpers. A remote communications system was added, allowing Warpers to share data with each other. They were built with self-repairing systems, as learned from an Alien Relic found in the <a href="/wikis/primary-containment-facility">Primary Containment Facility</a>. Warpers were programmed to hunt any life form infected by Kharaa relentlessly.

After a Sea Dragon Leviathan destroyed the Disease Research Facility, Warper construction came to a halt, as it was the only place where they could be constructed and repaired, leaving an unspecified number active within <a href="/wikis/the-crater">The Crater</a>. After the Precursors' presumed demise, the Warpers continued in upholding their creators' intention of neutralizing Kharaa's presence, as well as guarding the four bases set up.

When the <a href="/wikis/degasi">Degasi</a> crashed on 4546B, it is highly likely that the three survivors encountered Warpers, as Bart confirmed that himself, Paul, and Marguerit were infected although they never documented this.

Upon crashing, the Aurora's survivors are detected by the active Warpers, although only a few are seemingly killed by them. The Player was fortunate enough to land in the <a href="/wikis/safe-shallows">Safe Shallows</a>, an area where the Warpers do not patrol. However, upon exploring, the Warpers may become aware of your presence and attempt to kill you. The player can also become aware of this after the <a href="/wikis/radio">Radio</a> picks up a message being broadcasted between Warpers. After coming across the demolished Disease Research Facility and scanning the inactive Warper within, the PDA explains that they are not natural creatures and are actually biologically engineered hunters. If the player's infection level has risen, the Warpers will stop at nothing to kill them. If at some point you are able to successfully <a href="/wikis/scan">scan</a> a Warper, you can learn more about them. After being cured of Kharaa, the player is no longer hunted by the Warpers, and they continue their task of eliminating the bacterium.

With the release of the Sea Emperor Juveniles and <a href="/wikis/enzyme-42">Enzyme 42</a> by extension, it is unknown what will happen to the Warpers when the planet is eventually purged of Kharaa.

Radio Messages

Data Bank Entries

Warper

An aggressive creature with the ability to teleport itself and others in space. No genetic crossover identified with indigenous <a href="/wikis/lifeforms">lifeforms</a>. Demonstrates no recognized defensive behavior.

1. Head: Mechanisms located in the head region provide its warping capability, which it uses to stalk its targets.
2. Torso: Appears to hunt other lifeforms, but no digestive organs have been identified. Internal structure considerably more complex than other known organisms. Unable to distinguish whether organic or artificial in nature.

Assessment: Further research required

Self-Warping Quarantine Enforcer Unit

This lifeform shows signs of heavy genetic <a href="/wikis/modification">modification</a>, and extensive mechanical grafting.

Its digestive and pulmonary systems have been replaced by an onboard battery receiving <a href="/wikis/energy">energy</a> directly from this facility and distributing it around the body.

Miniaturized phase technology has been implanted beneath the skin and is triggered by the central nervous system, allowing the construct to teleport at will.

The brain and central nervous system have been digitally augmented with advanced processing power and remote communications.

Assessment: Programmable Hunter/Killer - Avoid

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